So, what are my chances REALLY like?

[Adui]

Of using this or any simulator to learn enough to solo my real plane succesfully?

I realise I'm likely going to crash the thing when I start learning aerobatics, but I am a long way from that point. I just want to be able to take my airplane out and fly the thing succesfully without having to spend countless hours at the field waiting for someone to show up willing to put her in the air and watch me while I fly, when they could be flying there own planes instead.

There's lots of willing pilots around, hooking up with them seems to be a challenge for me, and I always feel guilty for taking up there flight time.

Soo, that is why I ultimately quit flying over two years ago, and now have gotten this simulator to try and self teach.

For those who want to know, I was ready for landings according to my last teacher, but have not yet taken off or landed the real thing by myself..

All that said is this thing going to be able to give me the basic skills I need to NOT crash my plane or am I wasting my time with a really good game? (Ok so its not a waste of time he he)

[Steve Lewin]

Simulators help. In my experience new pilots who have used a sim a lot always learn quickly.

But whether you will be able to learn on your own (the blind teaching the blind) depends mainly on what type of plane you are flying. Some planes almost fly themselves, others need a skilled pilot concentrating hard to stop them rushing to the site of the accident. Guess which sort you need ?

Steve

[Adui]

AHH.. IC sayeth the blind man to the def mute..

Well, hopefully mine is sufficient because I cant afford a new one.
My plane is a Hangar 9 Arrow. Its touted as a trainer that is capable of basic aerobatics. Its got a Semisymetrical wing, so inverted flight is possible. But its a typical overwing design and fairly stable in flight.

The bird is not real squirley, but it doesnt fly itself, so I guess we shall see.

I dont intend to even attempt it by myself till Ive made 200 consecutive crashless training flights in the sim, from takeoff to landing. I will probably use one of the sport planes I downloaded that is overwing, they are quite a bit more squirley than my plane but fly similar as far as capabilities.

The nice thing is I am using my JR Quatro as a controller for the sim as well, so I'm on the same radio I will fly with.

Then, if I can get it I might just have an experienced pilot buddy box me anyhow just to be safe, but that will depend on me being able to renew my AMA so I can fly off the club fields, instead of the back country roads around here...

[lowglow]

FMS helped me totally I practiced everyday on FMS while I was building a trainer from a kit, by the time the trainer was finished I had sorted out I my head what I was doing wih the sticks. I still had in instructor but all he did was take of and land for me I flew with no problems I made my first landing on my third flight dead stick from miles away, brought the plane back and landed right in front of me. I went sollo on my sixth flight, passed my wings on my 45th flight.
So iI think it helped me heaps.

[Lindsay]

A really big help for me. But there are aspects of real flight you need buddy box training for. Like you, I felt guilty taking up instructor time but if you really put the time in you will not be a burden for long and you will get respect for wanting to help yourself.

FMS doesn't help take offs, really. On the field you will find steering straight and applying the right amount of power and elevator much more engaging! I also found I needed real time practice at lining up the runway on approach. Orientation needs real-time practice, too.

But keep the fsim going and you WILL find a much shorter trg time results.

Good luck.

[Lindsay]

[Adui]

OK, just had to post my thoughts on my successes and lack there off somewhere and this seemed a good place.

So I've had the sim for just a few days, and Im already good enough to keep the trainer types from crashing 90%, the other ten is mostly due to playing around with different maneuvers and not really training. I even get them lined up on the runway 9 out of ten landing passes.

I know it cant be this easy for the real thing, so I upgrade to one of the highwing sport planes (Superstar 40 I think). MAN!! I cant keep that thing going in one direction.. A smidge of aileron and it nearly rolls on me! (this is more like what I expected the real thing to do BTW) I did find a model that more closely matches what I remember of my real plane handled like. I cant remember its name but I know it by the looks. So I've been using that. 7 out of ten landing passes I cant even get it over the runway! 3 out of ten attempts I crash overcorrecting the thing..

All in all a very frustrating, and VERY fun sim to use. I only hope I am right and it makes me a good enough pilot that when I can get things together I can just have someone trim out my plane and buddy box me one or two flights an dthen I can FINALLY fly it without aid..

I have decided that with the expense I have to go through to get her in the air again, (New batteries for TX and RX, and a GOOD work over of the aircraft for possible damage areas to fix) I am going to try to get together the extra $$ to get my AMA so I can hook up with the local club and get thier assistance in flying it for the first few flights. $350 invested originally pluss $100 for the current motor and $10 in crash dmamge repairs is a lot of cash to throw away by getting stupid again..

(Of course if I do crash it, assuming I get somewhat lucky, the motor and radios are good for a new, better trainer. I bought mine as a compromise so I wouldn't get bored with it. I wanted something capable of basic aerobatics. Little did I know how hard it was to learn to fly it. The Arrow is an advanced trainer, or a sport trainer. It works for a first plane only if you have the patience to work with an instructor. Something I obviously do not have he he)

[Adui]

Here's a couple articles on my plane to give you an idea what I have to work with.



http://www.southeastrc.com/item/HAN2550**

Apparently the url link code doesnt handle those ending with ** so you will have to cut and paste to get there, thats the better article too I think..

[Adui]

Well,

Following the overwhelming advice I got here, I decided to make contact with the local club. Not only was I greatly impressed, (They have Sunday training sessions EVERY Sunday just about!) But I found out that they can let me fly buddy box without AMA. They prefer I get it soon, but will help me a few times till I can get it.

Second, I got to fly two aircraft, instructor assisted. I flew a Control line airplane yesterday, fun!! A lot harder than it looks too!

Today one of the guys I met yesterday brought his uproar and a buddy box radio he keeps. (He would have used his trainer plane, but that crashed last week cause he forgot to take out the crystal, and his student turned on the second radio when he told him to plug in..)
The Uproar is NOT a trainer! but I managed to control it remarkably well considering I haven't flown in two years, and never soloed!

The Short time I have had FMS has taken me right back where I was when I quit flying just about! This guy had me running landing approaches with the uproar till the wind picked up. A blast!

Thank again for urging me to give the club another go!

[kontakos]

[perks]

hi im new but i was wundering weather my plane a seagul arising star was any good i have read repots on it and it seemed good but what do you think

[kontakos]

[perks]